Here is a full guide How to Freeze Bananas and use them later to make smoothies, ice cream and baked goods.
On the contrary, if you need ripe bananas for baking today, here is my full guide how to ripen bananas faster.
Table of Contents
Why and Which Bananas are Best to Freeze?
The best bananas to freeze are yellow ripe bananas or over-ripened bananas. It helps to avoid food waste and frankly makes banana bread or banana muffins a reality anytime the mood strikes you.
I do not recommend to freeze green bananas because they lack flavor, are not sweet and will not ripen in the freezer.
So whenever you see your bananas are past their prime eating state, use this guide on how to freeze bananas and never look back.
How to Freeze Bananas in a Peel
Freezing unpeeled bananas is my go to method for saving bananas for baking. It’s so easy just to grab banana and throw it in the freezer.
Place whole unpeeled banana in the freezer. That’s it!
To thaw, place it on a plate and defrost on a counter for 2 hours. You can always speed up things by defrosting or warming it up in a microwave.
Whole frozen bananas are best for baking banana bread and banana muffins.
Pro Tip
You want to use all the liquid that accumulated during the thawing process as it is part of the fruit and is necessary for successful recipe.
How to Freeze Whole and Half Bananas
Here is how to freeze bananas whole or cut in half. I recommend to freeze banana halves because they will thaw out faster and will fit into the blender or food processor easier.
- Peel and slice bananas: Peel and slice your bananas and cut them in half or leave whole. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer, leaving some space in between.
- Freeze on a baking sheet: Freeze bananas for 2 hours or until they are completely frozen.
- Transfer to a resealable bag: Transfer frozen bananas into a resealable bag, let out as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Freeze Sliced Bananas
Frozen banana slices are best for making nice cream or adding to smoothies!
- Slice bananas: Peel and slice bananas into 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick rounds. Transfer onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze: Place the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze banana slices for 1-2 hours.
- Transfer to a container: Transfer frozen banana slices into resealable Ziploc bag or airtight container, release out as much air as possible and freeze bananas for up to 3 months.
How to Freeze Mashed Bananas
This method is convenient for baking. Just freeze measured amount that your favorite banana recipe calls for.
- Mash bananas: In a large bowl, add peeled bananas and mash them with a fork.
- Freeze: Measure out desired amount of mashed banana and place it in a puddle on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours.
- Transfer to a container: Transfer frozen mashed banana pucks into a resealable bag, let out as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
Pro Tip
These Souper cubes trays are convenient for freezing mashed bananas. Each opening holds 1 cup.
How to Thaw Frozen Bananas
If you’re using frozen bananas for baking I recommend to thaw your bananas first. You can either defrost bananas on a counter for 1-2 hours or in the fridge overnight. You can also defrost frozen bananas in a microwave with a defrost setting.
Simply place frozen bananas on a plate or in a bowl and let them thaw. Please note that bananas will release a lot of water and it is normal. You want to use all that liquid that is part of the banana when baking. It helps with proper structure and taste of the recipe.
Be sure to defrost only the amount you need and place the bag with frozen bananas back in the freezer right away. If you leave frozen bananas on a counter even for 10 minutes they will quickly start defrosting and clump once you place the bag back in the freezer.
More Common FAQs
The best containers to freeze bananas in are freezer bags, glass containers and plastic containers. As long as it is an airtight container, it is a good one to freeze bananas in.
Freeze bananas in airtight container and let out as much air as possible. This will help to slow down oxidation process that causes bananas to turn brown. Also be sure to freeze bananas after peeling and slicing as soon as possible.
It is best to freeze bananas when they’re ripe and ready to eat. Bananas that have soft texture and brown spots on a peel are perfect for freezing.
Ways to Use Frozen Bananas
Frozen bananas add amazing texture to smoothies and make the best healthy ice cream with just one ingredient – frozen bananas.
Use in recipes that require no cooking like this banana chia pudding and healthy banana cream pie. And of course frozen bananas are perfect for baking banana muffins and quick breads.
More Banana Recipes to Try
- Protein cookies
- Healthy banana pancakes
- No bake peanut butter pie
- Coconut flour banana bread
- Oat flour banana bread
- Protein banana bread
- Strawberry banana smoothie
- Healthy banana oatmeal cookies
How to Freeze Bananas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ripe bananas or over ripen bananas or as many as you wish
Instructions
- Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel bananas and cut them in half or 1 inch thick round slices. Place on baking sheet in a single layer without touching or overlapping.
- Place baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until completely frozen.
- Transfer frozen bananas to a resealable bag, let out as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
Hi! If you freeze bananas whole and unpeeled, yellow ones ready to eat or even some green ones, can you just freeze them like that? Should you put them in ziplocks? And importantly, when you take them out of the freezer, do you wait for them to Thaw before putting them in the Oven to ripen for bread? How long to thaw? I’m going to try your coconut peanut butter banana bread. Hope it is a keeper and family pleaser! Thank you so much!
Yes, you freeze whole ann unpeeled bananas just like that, no ziplocs. I would freeze only yellow or brown ones. Green ones will never ripen after that, not even in the oven. Thaw on a counter on a plate for a few hours. I have not tried baking thawed yellow bananas, hope it works. Maybe bake them before freezing.